Closing Date: 20th November, 2025

Description:

Summary:
The Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation (CSTL) Section is the largest section of the Torts Branch in the Civil Division, Department of Justice. CSTL includes three groups: Constitutional Torts, Vaccine Litigation, and the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Program.

Duties:
As a General Attorney, the incumbent:

Conducts research and analysis concerning the interpretation and application of statutes, rules, and regulations regarding complex issues that arise in connection with the RECA Program and matters within purview of T-CSTL;
Reviews the administrative record in claims under RECA with complex factual and legal questions;
Works to develop additional evidence in support of determinations of entitlement to compensation and the amount of such compensation;
Works closely with federal, state, and local agencies to collect evidence relevant to the Department's position;
Evaluates claims for fraud and litigative risk and provides recommendations of entitlement.
Drafts associated correspondence, memoranda, and documents relating to claims;
Works closely with DOJ trial attorneys representing the United States in RECA Program matters that end up before the courts.
Drafts legal pleadings and other documents that may be needed in defense of decisions made under the Act; and
Participates in meetings and discussions with opposing counsel, collaborating agencies, state and local stakeholders regarding all aspects of claims and other matters related to the RECA Program.
This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Must complete and pass a drug test.
Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
May require completion of a 2-year trial period. (Please refer to the trial period statement under Qualifications.)
Must be able to successfully complete a background investigation and may be required to obtain a clearance.
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
May require completion of a fourteen month temporary appointment, subject to extension, pending the completion and adjudication of your background check.

Qualifications:
Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.

Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.

To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must have minimum 1.5 years post-JD legal experience.
To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have minimum 2.5 years post-JD legal experience.
To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience.

Preferred qualifications: Applicants with experience or interest in administrative law, workers compensation systems, and benefits administration are preferred. The ideal applicant demonstrates capability to manage multiple assignments with short deadlines to reliable, well-supported outcomes in a high-volume and dynamic setting.

Trial Period Statement
As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education:
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.

Or

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.